What's happened
On October 4, 2025, Andrej Babiš's ANO party won the Czech parliamentary election with 34.5% of the vote but fell short of a majority. Babiš plans to form a minority government supported by far-right and populist parties opposing EU climate and migration policies. His victory signals a potential shift in Czech foreign policy closer to Hungary and Slovakia's pro-Russian stance, raising questions about continued support for Ukraine and EU relations.
What's behind the headline?
Babiš's Victory: Pragmatism Meets Populism
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Coalition Challenges: Despite winning the largest share of votes, ANO lacks a parliamentary majority, forcing Babiš to seek support from far-right parties like the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the Motorists. These groups oppose EU climate policies and NATO, complicating governance.
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Foreign Policy Shift: Babiš's alignment with Hungary's Orbán and Slovakia's Fico signals a potential Czech pivot away from staunch support for Ukraine toward a more Russia-tolerant stance, though Babiš rejects outright EU or NATO exit.
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Domestic Constraints: The Czech Senate and President Petr Pavel hold veto powers that may limit radical policy shifts, especially regarding EU membership and NATO commitments.
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Business Interests and EU Relations: Babiš's extensive business empire benefits from EU funds, suggesting he will balance nationalist rhetoric with pragmatic cooperation to maintain economic advantages.
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Impact on EU Dynamics: Babiš's government will likely join the EU's far-right 'Patriots for Europe' bloc, challenging Brussels on migration and climate policies but stopping short of full confrontation.
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Information Warfare and Influence: The election saw significant pro-Russian propaganda spread via social media, notably TikTok, influencing fringe parties' support and raising concerns about foreign interference.
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Outlook: Babiš's government will likely pursue a cautious nationalist agenda, emphasizing welfare and skepticism toward EU mandates, while avoiding destabilizing Czech membership in Western alliances. The balance between populist demands and institutional checks will define Czech politics in the near term.
What the papers say
Jon Henley in The Guardian provides a detailed portrait of Babiš as a pragmatic populist whose politics have shifted rightward, noting his alliance with Orbán's far-right group and his rejection of Czech withdrawal from the EU or NATO despite campaigning against EU migration and climate policies. Henley highlights the constitutional hurdles Babiš faces, including President Pavel's refusal to appoint ministers favoring EU or NATO exit.
Politico emphasizes the enthusiastic support Babiš received from European far-right leaders like Orbán, Salvini, and Le Pen, framing his victory as part of a broader rise of nationalist 'Patriots for Europe' across the continent. It also notes Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya's hope that Czech support for democratic forces will continue.
The Independent outlines the domestic political context, including Babiš's scandals and legal challenges, and the influence of pro-Russian propaganda on social media during the election. It underscores the potential coalition with far-right and far-left fringe parties that oppose Ukraine aid and EU integration.
Al Jazeera reports on the election results and the high voter turnout, highlighting the challenges Babiš faces in forming a government without a majority and his shift toward right-wing rhetoric and alliances. It also notes concerns about Russian propaganda and the role of social media manipulation.
Bloomberg and South China Morning Post focus on Babiš's plans to govern with far-right support and the implications for Czech foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and EU relations. They stress the tension between Babiš's nationalist rhetoric and the pragmatic need to maintain EU funding and economic ties.
Together, these sources paint a complex picture of a Czech political landscape at a crossroads, with Babiš's return signaling a nationalist turn tempered by institutional checks and economic realities.
How we got here
Andrej Babiš, a billionaire and former prime minister, led the ANO party to victory in the October 2025 Czech parliamentary elections. His previous term (2017-2021) was marked by controversy and protests. The current centre-right coalition, led by Petr Fiala, supported Ukraine and EU integration but faced criticism over domestic issues. Babiš's win reflects voter dissatisfaction and a rightward political shift amid regional tensions over Russia and EU policies.
Go deeper
- What coalition partners is Babiš considering?
- How might Babiš's government affect Czech support for Ukraine?
- What role does President Petr Pavel play in government formation?
Common question
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What Does Babiš's Election Win Mean for Czech and European Politics?
The recent victory of Andrej Babiš in the Czech parliamentary election marks a significant shift in the country's foreign policy and its stance within the European Union. His move closer to pro-Russian allies like Hungary and Slovakia raises questions about future support for Ukraine and the EU's cohesion. This page explores what Babiš's win could mean for Czech foreign policy, EU relations, and regional stability, helping you understand the broader implications of this political change.
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What Does Babiš's Win Mean for Czech Politics?
The recent victory of Andrej Babiš in the Czech parliamentary elections has sparked widespread discussion about the country's political future. With his party winning the most votes but falling short of a majority, many are asking what this means for Czech domestic policy, foreign relations, and its role within the European Union. Below, we explore key questions about the election results and their broader implications.
More on these topics
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Andrej Babiš is a controversial Czech politician serving as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic since December 2017 and the founding Leader of ANO 2011 since 2012.
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Viktor Mihály Orbán is a Hungarian politician who has been Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010; he was also Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002.
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Petr Fiala is a Czech politician, political scientist and university professor who has been leader of the Civic Democratic Party since 2014.
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Petr Pavel is a retired Czech army general who served from 2015 to 2018 as the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and as Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army from 2012 to 2015.
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Robert Fico is a Slovak politician who served as Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He has been the first leader of the Direction – Social Democracy party since 1999.
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The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The Czech
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